It was April of 2009 when I became unemployed only after 6 months of being employed. Before that I was unemployed for a year. On 2/17 I had applied online to work at a retail store that I had worked for back in 2006. That Saturday they called me in for an interview for the following Tuesday. Let me tell you, I almost didn't go. First of all I had to take my mother to Doctor.. well just drop her off. Her appointment was at 1 and mine was at 12:30. I was aiming to leave at 11:40-50 JUST in case since I had to drop her off first. She took her sweet time getting ready because "I had 30 minutes!" So we finally left at 12:05 ish. I traveled across town to take her to her appointment. Got there at about 12:20 had to travel across town again to go to my interview in 10 minutes. We just moved here so I still don't know all the shortcuts. So I'm driving.. and guess what happens? I get pulled over. Great. I'm honestly about to burst into tears because I need this job. The Officer asks for my DL, registration, and insurance. This is my mom's car but I know she doesn't have insurance.. hell we can barely pay the rent/util. Car insurance is the last thing we are thinking about.. well it's not the last thing but right now that's a luxury. I ask the Officer if this was going to take a long time because I have an interview. She asked what time and I told her at 12:30. She glanced at me and my clothes and said I'll let you go this time.. and I was on my way. With only 2-3 minutes left to get there and me not knowing how close.. I just started to cry. I was just so close to giving up. Figured that I'm just doomed to be unemployed for the rest of my life.. I almost decided to turn around until I saw the cross street that the store was on. I got out my phone and called the store and told them that I was going to be late. I know I could have called earlier but in my years of job search, employment, and taking job-ready classes.. being late for an interview was inexcusable. I was at an interview where someone had called in saying they were going to be late, got there and were immediately turned away. Surprisingly the store manager was really friendly. In another few minutes I was there. Had the interview.. a long one LET ME TELL YOU. But at least it was mostly her talking. She also told me she had already had me written in the schedule, but had to send me on a second interview per company policy.

Thursday I had a second interview at another location which was the standard Q&A interview and after about 10 minutes (I wasn't even out of the mall).. I got the phone call! I officially start working tomorrow. It's part time but with decent hours. And to be honest I really don't care... I just needed a JOB that wasn't selling Kirby's door to door or knock off perfumes in a parking lot.. which seems to be the only job around here.

I did have to relocate. I moved from California to Colorado. I got interviews, Once or twice a month average in California. But all that doesn't matter if they choose to interview literally 20 people for one position.

Honestly, I'm really nervous to start working. It's been almost 2 years. I know I can do the job.. I've done it before. But still..

unemployeddiva wrote:It was April of 2009 when I became unemployed only after 6 months of being employed. Before that I was unemployed for a year. On 2/17 I had applied online to work at a retail store that I had worked for back in 2006. That Saturday they called me in for an interview for the following Tuesday. Let me tell you, I almost didn't go. First of all I had to take my mother to Doctor.. well just drop her off. Her appointment was at 1 and mine was at 12:30. I was aiming to leave at 11:40-50 JUST in case since I had to drop her off first. She took her sweet time getting ready because "I had 30 minutes!" So we finally left at 12:05 ish. I traveled across town to take her to her appointment. Got there at about 12:20 had to travel across town again to go to my interview in 10 minutes. We just moved here so I still don't know all the shortcuts. So I'm driving.. and guess what happens? I get pulled over. Great. I'm honestly about to burst into tears because I need this job. The Officer asks for my DL, registration, and insurance. This is my mom's car but I know she doesn't have insurance.. hell we can barely pay the rent/util. Car insurance is the last thing we are thinking about.. well it's not the last thing but right now that's a luxury. I ask the Officer if this was going to take a long time because I have an interview. She asked what time and I told her at 12:30. She glanced at me and my clothes and said I'll let you go this time.. and I was on my way. With only 2-3 minutes left to get there and me not knowing how close.. I just started to cry. I was just so close to giving up. Figured that I'm just doomed to be unemployed for the rest of my life.. I almost decided to turn around until I saw the cross street that the store was on. I got out my phone and called the store and told them that I was going to be late. I know I could have called earlier but in my years of job search, employment, and taking job-ready classes.. being late for an interview was inexcusable. I was at an interview where someone had called in saying they were going to be late, got there and were immediately turned away. Surprisingly the store manager was really friendly. In another few minutes I was there. Had the interview.. a long one LET ME TELL YOU. But at least it was mostly her talking. She also told me she had already had me written in the schedule, but had to send me on a second interview per company policy.

Thursday I had a second interview at another location which was the standard Q&A interview and after about 10 minutes (I wasn't even out of the mall).. I got the phone call! I officially start working tomorrow. It's part time but with decent hours. And to be honest I really don't care... I just needed a JOB that wasn't selling Kirby's door to door or knock off perfumes in a parking lot.. which seems to be the only job around here.

I did have to relocate. I moved from California to Colorado. I got interviews, Once or twice a month average in California. But all that doesn't matter if they choose to interview literally 20 people for one position.

Honestly, I'm really nervous to start working. It's been almost 2 years. I know I can do the job.. I've done it before. But still..

Congratulations! Please come back and let us know what it is like to join the real world again. Your success story will help many here who are at wits end and have just about given up.

It is so good to hear there is still hope for us! Good luck, our thoughts are with you!

what happened to you the day of your interview is EXACTLY the type of stuff that happens to me!!! There is always something lol!! I have come to the conclusion that it is a life test of some sort. ongoing prayers

Tell me about it ... then, I live in one city, where I can only get around via the transit bus system, and some temp agencies have jobs in my city but require you to show up in another city in order to go through the interview process.

Congratulations and I know what your going through about the jitters! I start my temp job tomorrow and I am so anxious! After 3 years unemployed nothing darn fits me in my closet, I've got to go and borrow some clothes until I get paid.